Shooter with "Familiar Tremor"

[CarlosDJackal]

I have a co-wroker who suffers fromw hat he called a "Familiar Tremor". It's a genetic condition that has existed in his family for at least three generations (both his Father and Grandfather had it). His hands shake like crazy and no amount of breathing or relaxation can totally get rid of it.

Whenwe went shooting today, I also noted that the tremors would increase with his anxiety. This tells me that it is affected by the nervous system. As a result, he would throw his rounds all over the place. Also as a result of this, he would anticipate the recoil a lot.

After trying the ball and dummy exercise, I made this determination and I had him dry fire a lot with special emphasis on the trigger control and on the sight picture (as best as he could). After a few dozen dry fires, I had him shoot again. While he increased his hits, most were still hitting to the left of the target. When I observed some serious flinching (with the closing of the eyes), I had him put in earplugs under his earmuffs.

This seem to help him quite a bit. He started to place 80-90% of his shots into an 8-inch circle. My question is, has anyone ever run across something like this? I'm talking huge tremors where I could not focus on the front sight myself (and I was just observing from the side). If so, any suggestions on how he can better reduce or control the tremors?

Thanks in advanced.

[MarkP]

When I observed some serious flinching (with the closing of the eyes), I had him put in earplugs under his earmuffs.

It sounds to me like your student is muzzle blast sensitive.

Try him out on a 22lr and see what happens.

MP

[CarlosDJackal]

Originally posted by MarkP
It sounds to me like your student is muzzle blast sensitive.

Try him out on a 22lr and see what happens.

MP
He was, until he started shooting with dual hearing protection. But his tremors were still very pronounced. He told me that the only time he does not suffer from tremors is when he shot a bow. Our guess is that the tension provided by the bow. He also hunts deer and can counter his tremor when using a longgun by laying it on top of a solid object.

Thanks.

[MarkP]

Carlos ,
I had a buddy in the Army that was developing a 'twitch' in his hands ,IIRC the docs diagnosed the beginning of MS.

TREMORS (http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/57/66126.htm) has some good info .

Mark

[CarlosDJackal]

Originally posted by MarkP
Carlos ,
I had a buddy in the Army that was developing a 'twitch' in his hands ,IIRC the docs diagnosed the beginning of MS.

TREMORS (http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/57/66126.htm) has some good info .

Mark

Thanks Mark.

[farranger]

It is/can be, depending on what it is, a genetic condition. I have it and mine is less than my fathers and his is less than his father's, it seems to be decreasing through the generations.

[CarlosDJackal]

farranger, how do you control it enough to be able to effectively shoot a pistol?

[9millie]

Why not have him shoot two hand point shooting at close distances, say 3-5 yards for a warm up?
Since a tremor will still allow him to get good hits with unsighted fire this would boost his confidence for his aimed fire practice later on.

[CarlosDJackal]

Originally posted by 9millie
Why not have him shoot two hand point shooting at close distances, say 3-5 yards for a warm up?
Since a tremor will still allow him to get good hits with unsighted fire this would boost his confidence for his aimed fire practice later on.
This is the first time he has actually been thaught to shoot a pistol. I don't see teaching him how to point shoot, even at close ranges, an advantage when he's just learning to shoot.

Maybe later on once he has the basic fundamentals down (as best as he could) and he has gotten rid of his propensity to flinch, I will introduce him to point-shooting.

Thanks.

[potatoho]

I read this article the other day:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/10/041006085310.htm

Not directly related to tremors, but it does mention that some tremors may be caused by the body's temperature regulation mechanisms malfunctioning.

[CarlosDJackal]

Originally posted by potatoho
I read this article the other day:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/10/041006085310.htm

Not directly related to tremors, but it does mention that some tremors may be caused by the body's temperature regulation mechanisms malfunctioning.
Before my Hyperactive Thyroid was brought under control, I had the shakes from the over-production of hormones. This is actually what told me I had problems - I noticed it while competing in a Regional IDPA match.

[tact-shooter]

Carols, a guy I shoot with also has tremors. He says that their eyes slightly adjust to the movement that might give us motion sickness. The key is that while the front sight is moving around on the target he has to time the breaking of the sear (dropping of striker) as the front sight moves across the point he wants to hit. As long as he improves the timing of when the gun goes off, he will hit he spot he wants. This will take some practice but I've seen it work. He will probably never stop the tremors so he will have to work around it by working on timing. If you relate this concept to him it might give him an oh yeah moment.

[CarlosDJackal]

tact-shooter,

This sounds like it might be just the ticket!!

Thanks a bunch.

[Darkangel1846]

There are several medications on the market that can help these tremors. One is a Beta Blocker. Using this medication and a method of a tight squeeze and slow release on the grip helped a friend of mine a few years ago
FWIW